This is due to the need for more human capital, equipment, medicine, consumables, and services, amongst others. 

This as the resources in the battle against Covid-19 in the province have been stretched a long way during the rapid increase of the virus in the province. According to the MEC for the department, Montseng Tsiu, while delivering her special Adjustment Budget Vote on Friday, her department had to reprioritise its budget and not adhere to its initial plans. Tsui announced the allocation of at least R12 billion to the department and says the department's main priority is now given to activities geared to ensure that there is an effective Covid-19 response.  

The virus has so far infected over 13,000 people and killed 62 patients, with more than 1,800 recoveries in the Free State.

Since the spread of Covid-19 in the province, the department has had to deal with irate healthcare workers who continuously accused the department of negligence by not providing PPEs to avoid the risk of infection.

Several hospital workers in the province downed tools on several occasions in protest against the department over issues related to health care protocols.

In her budget vote, Tsiu said that the "situation has been further aggravated by the challenges on social determinants on health, which need some improvement and are unfortunately prevalent in many areas of our province".

OFM News' Cathy Dlodlo previously reported that the department was forced this week to intervene at the Free State Psychiatric Complex in Bloemfontein after workers downed tools on Monday.

These workers accused the department – at the centre of fighting Covid-19 in the province – of not adhering to the appropriate protocols.

Dlodlo's report indicated that this followed after media reports indicated that at least 19 patients and 15 workers – including nurses at the hospital - have tested positive.

But the provincial spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, said the department had begun talks with all the unions representing workers.

The province has seen a rapid rise in the number of Covid-19 cases since the first seven cases were confirmed by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in March.

This after a cluster of cases broke out at the Devine Restoration Ministries in Bloemfontein during a church gathering which was attended by five internationals from Israel, the United States of America (USA), and France.

All five internationals later tested positive for Covid-19 and were placed under quarantine at a Woodlands Hotel, along with the staff. However, at that point it was already too late, the internationals had engaged with an estimated 600 guests during the event which included well-known writer and evangelist, Angus Buchan, and leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Kenneth Meshoe, who all previously stated that they had tested positive for the virus.

OFM News